Pictures really do speak volumes if you tune in to them. In that one piece of celluloid are captured all the emotions that quintessentially represent the image of that moment in time. Some images make you wonder what the photographer went through to get them as you interpret the subject. I love taking photos and I am more comfortable behind the shutter than as the subject. This is shared by my 10 year old son who is as rambunctious as 10 year olds come. But this same 10 year old was able to capture the image of a hummingbird at Crown Point last November. I marvelled at how he critically thought his way through the process of trying to snap the bird without frightening it away. He was able to solve the problem on his own and come away with what I think is a decent image.
Imagine using pictures as assessment in our content/literacy areas at school. Some research suggests that in the context of the classroom the application of " assessment as a photo album is most feasible and natural" .... and ... "may be used to gather evidence of learning" ... as a "performance assessment task, yielding a visual product." ( Tomlinson, G., & McTighe, J. (2006) ASCD. (www.ascd.org.)
With a proper rubric, students could submit photo books with attendant captions, explanatory notes and an introduction. They would have to critically think to justify the inclusion of the photos in the portfolio.
So happy blogging and keep those shutters snapping!
I also am passionate about embracing new literacies and providing students with authentic activitites which would engage them in literacy instruction. We need also to re-evaluate our assessment strategies and also have students study rubics and provide reasons for selecting certain pieces which have been submitted to electronic portfolios.
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